Sojourner Truth

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Criticisms of America society/Hopeful Goals

Sojourner Truth was an abolitionist of slavery and wanted rights for both black and white women. She was very brave and confident in taking many risks to release blacks from slavery. Few Southerners threatened to murder her for helping slaves. People also accused and disapproved of her speeches because she was an uneducated black woman but she kept fighting.

Methods used to Improve American Life

Truth joined the Anti-Slavery Society in which she lectured and spoke against women's rights. She traveled through the East making speeches such as "Ain't I a Woman?" She at first, had a religious experience which inspired her to preach and whose influence was "miraculous. She also battled two court cases in which she won. She then joined the Northampton Association of Education and Industry who lived on 500 acres of farmland, raising livestock, running grist and saw mills, and operating a silk factory. The Association promoted cooperative and productive labor and were strongly anti-slavery, religiously tolerant, women's rights supporters, and pacifist in principles.

Successes in promoting the reform

Truth became a powerful speaker against slavery. She moved her audience to tears and horror by telling them how slaves were beaten with spikes or chains. She had the respect and admiration of her audience. She also had the help of kind strangers and Quakers who were moved and influenced by her words.She dictated her memoirs to Olive Gilbert which was published in later years.

Practicality

The goals of Truth's intention were practical at the time period because she was among many abolitionists and rights activist who were fighting for the same things especially in the North where she started. This explains why many cults, reformers,associations, and societies were formed to fight and reform. Even though Truth was not really liked by Southerners, she made a huge impact on society and the views of people. She did this by lechering her powerful speeches and traveling to the East and on tours.

Ways of advancing goals

The federal government or the President could provide money for the Northampton Association of Education and Industry so it can continue its silk-making factory so the Association wouldn't disband because of debt. As a President, you have the power to help abolish slavery once and for all and help women in earning equal rights as men. The president should pursuade in revising the Constitution so all rights can be met.

References:


William Lloyd Garrison:
Garrison was an abolitionist like Truth and is one of the founders of the American Anti-Slavery Society. The Narrative of Sojourner Truth: A Northern Slave was also published by Garrison privately. He intended that this society should not be part of any political party and that women should be allowed to participate in society activities. He devoted his attention to the causes of women's rights for blacks. He also made several speaking tours and participated in the American Women Suffrage Association.

Frederick Douglass:
Douglass was also an abolitionist, women's suffragist, and reformer. He believed in the equality of all people whether they were white, black, or whatever. He was also encouraged to to become an anti-slavery lecturer. Both Truth and Douglass gave powerful speeches about their rough lives as slaves. They were also part of the Northampton Association of Education and Industry where they met and worked together.

Bibliography:

laws. "Universalist National Memorial Church: Sojourner Truth, a Story for Thanksgiving." Universalist National Memorial Church, Washington, D.C.. 6 Oct. 2009 <http://www.universalist.org/archives/000351sojourner_truth_a_stor

"Sojourner Truth." Kyrene School District - Redirect. 6 Oct. 2009 <http://www.kyrene.k12.az.us/schools/brisas/sunda/great/2farhana.htm>.

"Sojourner Truth by Jennifer Wolf." Free Website Hosting – Angelfire free website templates to make your own free website. 6 Oct. 2009 <http://www.angelfire.com/folk/struth/>.

"Sojourner Truth biography." Lakewood Public Library (Lakewood, Ohio). 6 Oct. 2009 <http://www.lkwdpl.org/wihohio/trut-soj.htm>.